The construction of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway near Mandola in Ghaziabad is almost complete. However, a single house is blocking its progress. This house in Mandola, Ghaziabad, is part of an ongoing legal case in the Supreme Court. Until a final verdict is reached, the expressway cannot be fully operational.
An isolated house stands in the middle of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, causing a major obstruction. This house belongs to Veersen Saroha, who filed a petition in 1998 against the acquisition of his land. While others accepted compensation and handed over their land to the government, this particular house remained untouched.
The house is now abandoned, yet it is preventing the completion of the expressway. Since the 1990s, it has stood in the same spot. While the construction on both sides of the expressway is complete, this section remains unfinished. Veersen Saroha’s house in Mandola has become the biggest obstacle in the completion of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway. In 1998, he filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court against the land acquisition, which saved his 1,600 square meter plot from being taken over.
Legal Disputes May Cause Further Delays
Over time, the government’s Mandola Housing Scheme failed, but when the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) acquired land for the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, most people accepted compensation—except for the Veersen family. Now, the expressway is ready on both sides, but his two-story house still stands in the middle, lying vacant. Due to the pending case in the Supreme Court, this section remains incomplete, delaying the full operation of the expressway.
According to NHAI, the expressway could be ready by June, but the ongoing legal battle may cause further delays. The Supreme Court has transferred the case to its Lucknow Bench, with the next hearing scheduled for April 16.
Will Veersen’s family accept compensation and vacate the land, or will the legal battle continue? That remains to be seen.
Also Read- Everything You Need To Know About The Delhi Mumbai Expressway
Delhi to Baghpat Section is Complete
Once the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway becomes operational, the travel time between Delhi and Dehradun will reduce from six hours to just two and a half hours. The 32-kilometer section between Delhi and Baghpat is ready. The first 17 kilometers within Delhi are elevated, while the remaining 15 kilometers pass through Ghaziabad and Baghpat.
Near Mavi Kala village in Baghpat, the expressway connects to the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. It starts from Akshardham in Delhi, passing through Laxmi Nagar, Geeta Colony, Shastri Park, Kartar Nagar, Khajuri Khas, Ankur Vihar, Sharda City, and Loni before reaching Mavi Kala, NBCC Township, and moving towards Baghpat and Dehradun.